Thrombosis of a Porcine Xenograft in the Aortic Position: A Case Report

Abstract

Fatal thrombosis of porcine xenografts in the aortic position has been reported previously (Franken et al., 1979; Fishbein et al., 1977) Thrombus filling the cusps of xenografts has caused prosthetic stenosis diagnosed during life (Salomon et al., 1979; Johnson et al., 1978). In our experience with 272 xenografts in the aortic position over 3.5 years, we have only seen this once and question whether departure from our usual practise of anticoagulation resulted in this complication.